Museums Galleries and Historic Places

Museums Galleries and Historic Places (published 2014)

The Telegraph Museum, Porthcurno

Has had a wonderful new makeover and is more family-friendly than ever. There is an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ feel as all the space is utilised from toddler-level cubby holes, gazing high up at messenger pigeons & funky lights, doors that open onto pictures & funky peep-hole windows revealing weirdly-lit huge machinery in the tunnels. It is stuffed with hands-on exhibitions, free explorer backpacks, family trails and daily creative craft activities. The new museum café is simple & excellent with home-baked treats and child-friendly food options. Under 5s go free, unlimited free re-entry for the year when Gift Aiding. Open daily 10am to 5pm. www.telegraphmuseum.org

Royal Cornwall Museum

River St. Truro. Family-friendly museum, children free, adults £5 (return free for a year). Gallery activities and Explorer Backpacks. www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk Crafts, brass-rubbings, badge-making, 10am to 4pm, free. 29 July to 28 Aug: Free activities for children and families. Story, Make and Take sessions on Tuesdays for accompanied under 5s. Culture Kids on Thursdays– exciting and engaging activities for accompanied over 5s. Check the website for more information on individual sessions. Must book 01872 272205

Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum,

Free entry for under 18s. Family packs are available for Tate St Ives and the Hepworth Sculpture Trails. I Spy Tate returns to both Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum: use picture clues to find artworks on display in the galleries; spot all 9 to win a prize, and you could win a luxury £2,000 holiday! Tuesdays in Aug: Beach Art Explorers art workshops, Porthmeor Beach,10.30am to 12noon & 2 to 3.30pm, £4,50 child/ £0 adult, 5+, must book 01736 796226. Wednesdays in Aug: Stories by the Sea, 12noon to 12.30pm & 2 to 2.30pm, in the atmospheric Loggia. Thursday to Sunday during August: Art Base, explore, play, create and investigate art (free, drop in 11am to 4pm). 14 Sept: FREE Super Sunday, drop-in 11am to 3pm, hands-on creative activities. www.tate.org.uk/stives 01736 796 226

Falmouth Art Gallery

Free entry. Every Saturday there are themed workshops – drop-in 2 to 3pm, ring 01326 313863 for details. Summer activities and exhibitions, all free, Aug Mondays to Fridays: Doodle Time with pastels, graphite and charcoal on easels in the gallery, 10am to 4pm. ‘Incredible Edible Art Week’ with the amazing Sally Crabtree, inspired by ‘The boy who bit Picasso’ exhibition. 9 Aug: make Picasso-style masks for the Carnival, 3 to 5pm, parade 6pm at Rugby Ground, wear stripes. 14 Aug: make a bling edible hat, 2 to 3pm. 15 Aug: make big noses and glasses that you can nibble, 2 to 3pm. 16 Aug: Sweet shop of words, 11am to 3pm, Sing a ditty, yodel a tune or maybe eat your words…. wam-bam-booze finale explosion at 3pm!

English Heritage Tintagel Castle.

29 to 31 July: Fighting Knights, 11am to 5pm, displays of weaponry, tales of magic and adventure. 5 to 7, 12 to 14, 19 to 21, 26 to 28 Aug: Tales of King Arthur, at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.15pm, with Merlin and King Arthur.

Cotehele, nr Saltash, a Tudor house decorated with tapestries, arms and armour, pewter, brass and old oak furniture. From 27 July to 31 Aug: Costume Sundays: Cotehele Mill’s team dressed in their finest Victorian garb, milling demos and tours, 11am to 4.30 pm, free with entry. 28 July to 8 Aug weekdays: different activities including wild art, family woodland trail, barefoot walk; make swords & shields, 1 to 3pm. 2 to 31 Aug daily except Fridays: look at the bladed weapons that usually hang on the walls, 11am to 4pm, free with entry. 13 & 14 Sept: delicious crumble pleasure, demos, free recipes, and samples, 11.30am to 4pm, free with entry. 01579 351346

Godolphin, near Helston. Enjoy the barefoot trail, mudpie kitchen in the orchard and see the chickens in the Piggery Yard. 5 & 21 Aug: seed sowing, 11am to 3pm, have a go, learn about different varieties, take them home to grow. 12 Aug: join the Ranger and cook on a camp fire in the woods, 11am to 3pm. 15 Aug: Nature Night Walk 8.30 to 10.30pm, discover rare breeds of bats and owls, £4 /£2. Must book on 01736 763194. 17 Aug: BareFoot Festival, 10am to 4pm, Are pebbles your favourite, mud or smooth clean slate? Multi-textured barefoot trail, games, foot-art, stalls and demos. 01736 763194